An Undocumented Abuelita Of 10 Narrowly Avoided Detention With A 3-Month Reprieve

An undocumented grandmother has avoided detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for at least three months after a recent check-in with ICE. According to CBS 2 Chicago, in 2013, Genoveva Ramirez was granted a stay of removal following a minor traffic stop and a two week detention. Since then, the abuelita has kept a low profile and attended her required ICE check-ins without incident. Yet, on Mother’s Day of this year, Ramirez got a call from ICE telling her that she needed to appear at ICE headquarters in Chicago for an “appointment.” As reported by NBC 5 Chicago, Ramirez appeared for her check-in with ICE as instructed. She was not detained, but immigration officials did say that her stay of removal is “under review.” Ramirez will be required to report back to ICE at the end of August.

“In the grand scheme of things we’re glad she wasn’t detained today,” Ruiz Velasco, who represents Ramirez, told NBC 5 Chicago. “But I still think it is a negative impact to our communities that they are taking these steps.”

Ramirez first came to the U.S. 16 years ago. According to CBS 2 Chicago, Ramirez fled Mexico City after her husband was the victim of a violent attack. Despite the fear of growing detentions and deportations in the U.S. in recent months, Ramirez told CBS 2 Chicago that she still feels safe.

“This country symbolizes safety and security for me, and this is a place where I’ve developed a life with my family,” Ramirez told CBS 2 Chicago.